Punching apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a machine for continuously punching holes in a substrate which is to be used in a skin packaging operation. The machine includes a frame which has a punching roll, which is rotatively mounted by the frame and the punching roll includes a cylindrical shell and a cylindrical center roll. The cylindrical shell is provided with a plurality of openings and fitted in these openings are a plurality of punching pins and these pins are backed up on one end by the cylindrical center roll which prevents them from inward movement. The outer surface of the cylindrical shell is swedged tightly around each of the pins where it exits its respective opening and this prevents outward movement of the pins during normal operation of the machine. The outward end of each pin is pointed to perform a punching function. A rubber backup roll is mounted preferably below and parallel to the punching roll. Means are provided for raising and lowering the punching roll relative to the rubber backup roll so that the outward end of the pins may be positioned relative to the rubber backup roll and preferably are at least in contact with the rubber backup roll. Means are provided for rotatively driving the punching roll and the rubber backup roll. Pieces of substrate are fed into the entrance end of the machine and are removed from the exit end of the machine by means of a plurality of belts which are mounted generally horizontal and parallel with each other. The belts are driven by means of first-drive axles which in turn rotatively carry sheaves which in turn carry the belts. The same construction is provided at the exit end to remove the substrate after they have had the holes punched in them by the aforementioned pins. Ejection rollers are mounted at the exit end of the machine and are adapted to engage the upper surface of the increments of substrate to aid in removing the substrate from between the punching roll and the backup roll. Weights are provided for varying the pressure of the ejection rollers on the increments of substrate. This prevents the punching roll from its normal tendency of pulling the pieces of substrate which are trying to exit the machine around the punching roll.

United States Patent [1 1 Jenkins [451 Sept. 25, 1973 PUNCHING APPARATUSPrimary Examiner-J. M. Meister Att0rneyWoodling, Krost, Granger & Rust[57] ABSTRACT The present invention discloses a machine for continuouslypunching holes in a substrate which is to be used in a skin packagingoperation. The machine includes a frame which has a punching roll, whichis rotatively mounted by the frame and the punching roll includes acylindrical shell and a cylindrical center roll. The cylindrical shellis provided with a plurality of openings and fitted in these openingsare a plurality of punching pins and these pins are backed up on one endby the cylindrical center roll which prevents them from inward movement.The outer surface of the cylindrical shell is swedged tightly aroundeach of the pins where it exits its respective opening and this preventsoutward movement of the pins during normal operation of the machine. Theoutward end of each pin is pointed to perform a punching function. Arubber backup roll is mounted preferably below and parallel to thepunching roll. Means are provided for raising and lowering the punchingroll relative to the rubber backup roll so that the outward end of thepins may be positioned relative to the rubber backup roll and preferablyare at least in contact with the rubber backup roll. Means are providedfor rotatively driving the punching roll and the rubber backup roll.Pieces of substrate are fed into the entrance end of the machine and areremoved from the exit end of the machine by means of a plurality ofbelts which are mounted generally horizontal and parallel with eachother. The belts are-driven by means of firsti drive axles which in turnrotatively carry sheaves which in turn carry the belts. The sameconstruction is provided at the exit end to remove the substrate afterthey have had the holes punched in them by the aforemen- ,tioned pins.Ejectionrollers are mounted at the exit end of the machine and areadapted to engage the upper surface of the increments of substrate toaid in removing the substrate from between the punching roll and thebackup roll. Weights are provided for varying the pressure'of theejection rollers on the increments of substrate. This prevents thepunching roll from its normal tendency of pulling the pieces ofsubstrate which are trying to exit the machine around the punching roll.

3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures ;\i: e N

PUNCHING APPARATUS The present invention relates generally to the fieldof preparing substrate for use in skin packaging operations. Thesubstrate normally comprises a solid fiber paper or corrugated paperconstruction and is normally required to have some air permeability sothat the vacuum packaging operation can be properly accomplished as isunderstood by those well skilled in the art. The present apparatus,therefore, is uniquely adapted to produce the holes necessary in thesubstrate and as' required by the vacuum skin packaging operation. Otherdevices have been provided and utilized in the past for performing thisfunction and the present invention involves itself with the refinementswhich necessarily make or break an economic venture which is seeking toperform this overall function. The advantages of the present apparatushave to do with the specific construction of the punching roll andparticularly the means that are utilized to securely hold the punchingpins in position during working of the apparatus, yet which provide aconstruction whereby if a pin is broken it can be conveniently removedand replaced by another unbroken pin. The apparatus also has uniquecooperation between the punching and backup roll which is provided, anda convenient and economical means is provided for transporting substrateto the entrance end of the punching apparatus and removing punchedsubstrate from the exit end of the apparatus. All of the above referredto advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upona complete review of the accompanying drawings and specification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view partially insection of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view taken generally along the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken generally along the line 33 of FIG. I;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the punching roll taken in thesame direction as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of the device shown in FIG. 1;and,

FIG. 7 is a view taken generally along the line 77 of FIG. 6.

Referring specifically t0 the drawings, the apparatus for continuouslypunching holes in substrate which is disclosed herein has been indicatedgenerally bythe reference numeral 20. The substrate is normally adaptedto be used in skin packaging products thereto and the apparatus includesin combination a frame identified by the reference numeral 22. Apunching roll 25 is provided which has first and second end portions 26.and 27, respectively, and bearings 28 are carried by the frame androtatively mount the first and second end portions of the punching roll.The punching roll comprises a cylindrical shell 31 having a plurality ofopenings therein all identified by the reference numeral 32 and theseopenings 32 are adapted to receive punching pins 35. A cylindricalcenter roll 38 is provided within the shell 31 and has a surface 39which closes the inner end of the openings 32. This is best seen in FIG.4 of the drawings.

The punching pins 35 each has a cylindrical portion fitting in itsrespective opening and also has an extreme end which abuts the surface39 which prevents inward movement of the pin and positively positionsthe pins. The outer surface of the cylindrical shell 31 is swedgedtightly around each of the pins at 46 where the pin exits its respectiveopening and this serves to prevent outward movement of the pin duringnormal operation of the apparatus. This swedging operation is performedby a tool 45 shown in FIG. 4, and this tool is manipulated bypositioning it as shown and then striking the upper end of the same witha hammer or other similar object.

A rubber (or similar material) backup roll 52 which has first and secondend portions 53 and 54, respectively, is provided and bearings 57 serveto rotatively mount the first and second end portions of the rubberbackup roll through the medium of a mounting roll 56 to which the rubberportion of the backup roll is attached. The rubber backup roll ismounted in a position generally parallel with the punching roll.

Means are provided for raising and lowering the punching roll relativeto the backup roll whereby the outward ends of the pins may be engagedwith the rubber backup roll to the degree desired. This means includesmounting blocks 59 for the bearings 28 and a threaded member 60 isintegrally secured to the mounting blocks so that movement upwardly ordownwardly of one will be reflected in the other. The upper end of thethreaded member 60 is threadably engaged with a threaded portion of theframe as shown and the upper end of the threaded member is provided witha knurled member 61 which may be manipulated by an operator of theapparatus. It will be seen that by appropriately turning the threadedmember 60 that the punching roll can be raised or lowered as desired.The advantage of this is that less accuracy need be provided in theapparatus as originally built in that the ends of the punching pins canactually be brought into engagement with the rubber backup roll so as toinsure that the holes that are punched in the substrate are completelythrough the substrate and without the necessity of worry that thepointed ends of the punching pins will be damaged by an inaccurateadjustment or setting of the punching roll relative to the backup roll.Drive means 63 have been indicated schematically in FIG. 2 and are forthe purpose of rotatively driving the punching and backup rolls. Thepunching roll and the rubber backup roll define what are referred to asentrance and exit ends to the apparatus which are respectivelyidentifiedby the reference numerals 66 and 68.

On the entrance end of the apparatus there is provided a first driveaxle 71 mounted generally parallel to the punching and backup rolls andtwo sheaves 72 are mounted on this first drive axle 71 for rotationtherewith as best seen in FIG. 3. Belts 73 are carried by the sheavesand although it has not been illustrated in the drawings, it will beunderstood that there are corresponding drive axles and sheavestosupport the other portion of the belts 73 so that they may travelinthe manner indicated in the drawings. These structures will be locatedto the right as viewed in FIG. 1. It will be seen from FIG. 3 that atable portion 74 of the frame 22 is located somewhat below the level ofthe belts and the purpose of this is to enable a substrate 76 to becarried by the upper surface of these belts and fed into the entranceend 66 of the apparatus and between the punching and backup rolls. Drivemeans 78 have been indicated schematically for the purpose of drivingthe drive axle 71. A like construction is provided on the exit end ofthe apparatus and performs the function of removing the punched piecesof substrate from the apparatus. Briefly, this structure of theapparatus includes a second drive axle 81 carrying sheaves 82 whichserve to support and drive belts 83 carried by the sheaves. Drive means88 are illustrated schematically and for purpose of driving the beltsfor the function pointed out above.

It will be seen in the drawings that a removable cover 90 is providedover the punching roll so that this particular part of the apparatus isnot exposed during the normal operation of the device. Mounted on theback of the cover are a plurality of ejection rollers 92 which include ashaft 93 which serves to rotatively mount the rollers and these rollerscan be swung into and out of engagement with the upper surface of thepieces of substrate because the shaft 93 is in turn carried by a plate97 which is pivotally connected to the cover at 98. A lever 94 which hasa weight 95 is connected to plate 97 and this exerts a force on therollers to hold them against the substrate. The position of the weightson the levers can be varied. The purpose of these ejection rollers is toprovide a means of removing the punched pieces of substrate from betweenthe punching roll and the backup roll. Without the use of these ejectionrollers the trailing edge of the substrate has a tendency to be carriedaround the punching roller, thereby clogging up and otherwise disruptingthe punching operation. With the ejection rollers 92 in place upon theupper surface of the substrate enough force is exerted on the substratetending to pull it out of the apparatus rather than permitting it to becarried around the punching roll as aforesaid.

It will, therefore, be seen that all of the advantages referred tohereinabove are provided in an apparatus in an efficient and economicalmanner. It will be seen that the punching pins are held in operativeposition in a convenient and economical manner and in the event one ofthe pins is broken or otherwise damaged it can be conveniently replacedby the simple expedient of removing the cylindrical center roll 38 fromthe cylindrical shell 31 and then by means of a punch and hammer orsimilar operation the pin can be driven inwardly from its respectiveopening. The provision of the punching roll and rubber backup roll alsoprovides a construction which does not require the same tolerances as inthe situation where a non-rubber backup roll is provided and thisassures that the substrate which pass through the apparatus are allprovided with openings which are necessary in the event the substrateare to be used in a skin packaging operation. The use of the convenientexpedient of the ejection rollers 92 also assures that each and all ofthe punched substrate will be conveniently removed from the punchingapparatus.

Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with acertain degree of particularity, it is understood that the presentdisclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of exampleand that numerous changes in the details of construction and thecombination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit and' the scope of the invention as hereinafterclaimed.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for continuously punching holes in a substrate including incombination a frame, a punching roll having first and second endportions, bearings carried by said frame and rotatingly mounting saidfirst and second end portions of said punching roll, said punching rollcomprising a cylindrical shell having a plurality of openings therein toreceive punching pins, a cylindrical center roll within said shell andhaving a surface which closes the inner end of said plurality ofopenings, a plurality of punching pins in said plurality of openingswith each said pin having a cylindrical portion fitting in said openingand abutting said surface of said center roll which prevents inwardmovement and positively locates said pin, said cylindrical shell beingswedged tightly around each of said pins where it exits its respectiveopening to prevent outward movement of same during normal operation ofthe apparatus, the outward end of each pin being pointed to enable it toperform a punching function. a rubber backup roll having first andsecond end portions, bearings carried by said frame and rotativelymounting said first and second end portions of said rubber backup rollwith said roll in a position generally parallel to said punching roll,means for raising and lowering said punching roll relative to saidrubber backup roll whereby the outward ends of said pins may be engagedwith said rubber backup roll, means for rotatively driving said punchingroll and said rubber backup roll, said punching roll and said rubberbackup roll defining entrance and exit ends of said apparatus, a firstdrive axle mounted parallel to said punching and backup rolls at theentrance to said apparatus, a plurality of axially spaced sheavesmounted on said first drive axle for rotation therewith, belts carriedon said sheaves and adapted to transport increments of substrate to theentrance end of said apparatus and between said punching and backuprolls whereat holes are punched in the increments of substrate, meansfor driving said first drive axle, a second drive axle mounted parallelto said punching and backup rolls at the exit end of said apparatus, aplurality of axially spaced sheaves mounted on said second drive axlefor rotation therewith, belts carried on said sheaves and adapted totransport increments of substrate away from the exit end of saidapparatus after the holes have been punched therein, means for drivingsaid second drive axle, ejection rollers mounted at the exit end of saidapparatus and adapted to engage the upper surface of the increments ofsubstrate to aid the same in traveling on the belts driven by saidsecond drive axle and prevent the same from being carried around saidpunching roll by the action of said pins, and weight means for varyingthe pressure of said ejection rollers on the increments of substrate.

2. Apparatus for continuously punching holes in a substrate including incombination a frame, a punching roll having first and second endportions, bearings carried by said frame and rotatingly mounting saidfirst and second end portions of said punching roll, a punching rollcomprising a cylindrical shell having a plurality of openings therein toreceive punching pins, a cylindrical center roll within said shell andhaving a surface which closes the inner end of said plurality ofopenings, a plurality of punching pins in said plurality of openingswith each said pin having a cylindrical portion fitting in said openingand abutting said surface of said center roll which prevents inwardmovement and positively locates said pin, the outward end of each pinbeing pointed to enable it to perform a punching function, a rubberbackup roll having first and second end portions, bearings carried bysaid frame and rotatively mounting said first and second end portions ofsaid rubher backup roll with said roll in a position generally parallelto said punching roll, means for raising and lowering said punching rollrelative to said rubber backup roll whereby the outward ends of saidpins may be engaged with said rubber backup roll, means for rotativelydriving said punching roll and said rubber backup roll, said punchingroll and said rubber backup roll defining entrance and exit ends of saidapparatus, a first drive axle mounted parallel to said punching andbackup rolls at the entrance to said apparatus, a plurality of axiallyspaced sheaves mounted on said first drive axle for rotation therewith,belts carried on said sheaves and adapted to transport increments ofsubstrate to the entrance end of said apparatus and between saidpunching and backup rolls whereat holes are punched in the increments ofsubstrate, means for driving said first drive axle, a second drive axlemounted parallel to said punching and backup rolls at the exit of saidapparatus, a plurality of axially spaced sheaves mounted on said seconddrive axle for rotation therewith, belts carried on said sheaves andadapted to transport increments of substrate away from the exit end ofsaid apparatus after the holes have been punched therein, and means fordriving said second drive axle.

3. Apparatus for continuously punching holes in a substrate including incombination a frame, a punching roll having first and second endportions, bearings carried by said frame and rotatively mounting saidfirst and second end portions of said punching roll, said punching rollcomprising a cylindrical shell having a plurality of openings therein toreceive punching pins, a cylindrical center roll within said shell andhaving a surface which closes the inner end of said plurality ofopenings, a plurality of punching pins in said plurality of openingswith each said pin having a cylindrical portion fitting in said openingand abutting said surface of said center roll which prevents inwardmovement and positively locates said pin, said cylindrical shell beingswedged tightly around each of said pins where it exits its respectiveopening to prevent outward movement of same during normal operation ofthe apparatus, the outward end of each pin being pointed to enable it toperform a punching function, a rubber backup roll having first andsecond end portions, bearings carried by said frame and rotativelymounting said first and second end portions of said rubber backup rollwith said roll in a position generally parallel to said punching roll,means for raising and lowering said punching roll relative to saidrubber backup roll whereby the outward ends of said pins may be engagedwith said rubber backup roll, and means for rotatively driving saidpunching roll and said rubber backup roll.

1. Apparatus for continuously punching holes in a substrate including incombination a frame, a punching roll having first and second endportions, bearings carried by said frame and rotatingly mounting saidfirst and second end portions of said punching roll, said punching rollcomprising a cylindrical shell having a plurality of openings therein toreceive punching pins, a cylindrical center roll within said shell andhaving a surface which closes the inner end of said plurality ofopenings, a plurality of punching pins in said plurality of openingswith each said pin having a cylindrical portion fitting in said openingand abutting said surface of said center roll which prevents inwardmovement and positively locates said pin, said cylindrical shell beingswedged tightly around each of said pins where it exits its respectiveopening to prevent outward movement of same during normal operation ofthe apparatus, the outward end of each pin being pointed to enable it toperform a punching function. a rubber backup roll having first andsecond end portions, bearings carried by said frame and rotativelymounting said first and second end portions of said rubber backup rollwith said roll in a position generally parallel to said punching roll,means for raising and lowering said punching roll relative to saidrubber backup roll whereby the outward ends of said pins may be engagedwith said rubber backup roll, means for rotatively driving said punchingroll and said rubber backup roll, said punching roll and said rubberbackup roll defining entrance and exit ends of said apparatus, a firstdrive axle mounted parallel to said punching and backup rolls at theentrance to said apparatus, a plurality of axially spaced sheavesmounted on said first drive axle for rotation therewith, belts carriedon said sheaves and adapted to transport increments of substrate to theentrance end of said apparatus and between said punching and backuprolls whereat holes are punched in the increments of substrate, meansfor driving said first drive axle, a second drive axle mounted parallelto said punching and backup rolls at the exit end of said apparatus, aplurality of axially spaced sheaves mounted on said second drive axlefor rotation therewith, belts carried on said sheaves and adapted totransport increments of substrate away from the exit end of saidapparatus after the holes have been punched therein, means for drivingsaid second drive axle, ejection rollers mounted at the exit end of saidapparatus and adapted to engage the upper surface of the increments ofsubstrate to aid the same in traveling on the belts driven by saidsecond drive axle and prevent the same from being carried around saidpunching roll by the action of said pins, and weight means for varyingthe pressure of said ejection rollers on the increments of substrate. 2.Apparatus for continuously punching holes in a substrate including incombination a frame, a punching roll having first and second endportions, bearings carried by said frame and rotatingly mounting saidfirst and second end portions of said punching roll, a punching rollcomprising a cylindrical shell having a plurality of openings therein toreceive Punching pins, a cylindrical center roll within said shell andhaving a surface which closes the inner end of said plurality ofopenings, a plurality of punching pins in said plurality of openingswith each said pin having a cylindrical portion fitting in said openingand abutting said surface of said center roll which prevents inwardmovement and positively locates said pin, the outward end of each pinbeing pointed to enable it to perform a punching function, a rubberbackup roll having first and second end portions, bearings carried bysaid frame and rotatively mounting said first and second end portions ofsaid rubber backup roll with said roll in a position generally parallelto said punching roll, means for raising and lowering said punching rollrelative to said rubber backup roll whereby the outward ends of saidpins may be engaged with said rubber backup roll, means for rotativelydriving said punching roll and said rubber backup roll, said punchingroll and said rubber backup roll defining entrance and exit ends of saidapparatus, a first drive axle mounted parallel to said punching andbackup rolls at the entrance to said apparatus, a plurality of axiallyspaced sheaves mounted on said first drive axle for rotation therewith,belts carried on said sheaves and adapted to transport increments ofsubstrate to the entrance end of said apparatus and between saidpunching and backup rolls whereat holes are punched in the increments ofsubstrate, means for driving said first drive axle, a second drive axlemounted parallel to said punching and backup rolls at the exit of saidapparatus, a plurality of axially spaced sheaves mounted on said seconddrive axle for rotation therewith, belts carried on said sheaves andadapted to transport increments of substrate away from the exit end ofsaid apparatus after the holes have been punched therein, and means fordriving said second drive axle.
 3. Apparatus for continuously punchingholes in a substrate including in combination a frame, a punching rollhaving first and second end portions, bearings carried by said frame androtatively mounting said first and second end portions of said punchingroll, said punching roll comprising a cylindrical shell having aplurality of openings therein to receive punching pins, a cylindricalcenter roll within said shell and having a surface which closes theinner end of said plurality of openings, a plurality of punching pins insaid plurality of openings with each said pin having a cylindricalportion fitting in said opening and abutting said surface of said centerroll which prevents inward movement and positively locates said pin,said cylindrical shell being swedged tightly around each of said pinswhere it exits its respective opening to prevent outward movement ofsame during normal operation of the apparatus, the outward end of eachpin being pointed to enable it to perform a punching function, a rubberbackup roll having first and second end portions, bearings carried bysaid frame and rotatively mounting said first and second end portions ofsaid rubber backup roll with said roll in a position generally parallelto said punching roll, means for raising and lowering said punching rollrelative to said rubber backup roll whereby the outward ends of saidpins may be engaged with said rubber backup roll, and means forrotatively driving said punching roll and said rubber backup roll.